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With the launch of the new Birds of Prey series CBR talked to Gail Simone about her new book:

CBR News: How did your return to these characters come about? Was it your pitch or was DC anxious to get the Birds back in your capable hands?

Gail Simone: No, I'd actively avoided even thinking about it. Some of my best friends had crashed and burned when returning to books they had had popular runs on in the past and I could definitely understand that. But Geoff Johns reminded me that I still had stories I wanted to tell and he pointed out that it was important to have a book like "Birds of Prey" out there for people who may not always follow "Iron Man," or "Superman" or whatever, but still like formidable women kicking ass, if that makes sense.

In terms of the first arc, where do we pick up with Oracle, Black Canary, Huntress and Lady Blackhawk? Will there be ties back to your first run with the characters and plot threads that you'll be able to complete?

There's a moment where one of the Birds shows how much she missed the rest of the team that I think is very telling. But it's more like, "Okay, why did we ever split up?" than bitter recriminations. I think it's very clear by the end of the issue that the Birds are most definitely back. Ed draws the book like he never left and it just looks amazing.

Black Canary, especially, has been front and center, most recently chairing the Justice League of America. What brings her back to the fold?

People who need help are all she's ever about. When she's written as selfish and vain, I think that's not Black Canary at all.

Can you share any details about the first arc? Which villain or villains will they face?

Well, the Penguin's in it, but his role is tough to summarize. Let's just say he's completely messed up. There's a new villain, one we're all pretty crazy about. And there are a lot of twists along the way. The Birds find themselves on everyone's bad side.

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